Crosswalk.com aims to offer the most compelling biblically-based content to Christians on their walk with Jesus. Crosswalk.com is your online destination for all areas of Christian Living – faith, family, fun, and community. Each category is further divided into areas important to you and your Christian faith including Bible study, daily devotions, marriage, parenting, movie reviews, music, news, and more.

HomeWord - Jan. 11, 2007

2007Jan 11

COMMENTS

Heart CheckThis devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.Matthew 6:1-4

Shel Silverstein wrote a wonderful children’s story called The Giving Tree. In this story a boy has a friendship with a tree. When the boy is young he swings in the trees branches, picks apples and plays King of the Forest. But as he gets older he spends less time with the tree. Each time the boy visits the tree he asks for favors, and the tree gives to him without questioning.

The tree never asks for anything in return from the boy. She never brags to all the other trees in the forest about all she has done to help him, or makes the boy feel guilty for not giving back to her like she gave to him. The tree simply loved the boy, and she did it privately. She never called attention to herself. She never blew trumpets. She did her good deeds with a pure heart.

Too often our actions are good, but the motives are hollow. Time and again people serve and give not from compassion, but from selfish motives. God knows sincere faith and loves a pure heart. You cannot give while expecting to gain. You must give and serve in response to God’s love not for others approval or recognition.

As Christians, we should serve and give, even if no one notices because we know there is One who always sees.